Page 94 of Halo

I chuckle. “Fine. If you really want to go somewhere else—”

“No, no.” She reaches over and gently pats my arm. “The Briar sounds absolutely divine. I'm just a little bit more excited about the company.”

I bite back a stupid grin, sharing a look with her. “Next date then.”

“You're already asking me out again?”

I hum. “And it comes with a number one with cheese.”

“Mustard all the way?” She nips her bottom lip.

“And a Dr. Pepper.”

“Make it a Diet Dr. Pepper, and you're on, cowboy.”

The conversation ebbs comfortably, wandering from the vanity plate on the Lexus beside us to the Texas country singer on the radio Leah once saw in concert. It's just so damn easy with her—always has been. I almost resent the drive not being longer.

We pull up to the valet when my phone lights up across the center console.

G-DUB ANESTHESIA MAIN

I silence it.

Thirty seconds later, it rings again.

I let out a quiet sigh, my thumb hovering over the decline button before glancing her way.

She looks from the screen to me. “Don't you think you should answer?”

I shake my head. “I'm not on call tonight.”

The phone buzzes a third time.

Leah gives me a small smile. “It's okay. Answer it.” I hesitate long enough for her to add, “I mean it.”

I tap the steering wheel once before answering through the truck speakers.

The voice on the other end wastes no time. “Crawford, we've got three emergency surgeries stacked up, and we're short an anesthesiologist. Everyone's tied up. Any chance you're close?”

“Where's Kumar? Isn't he on-call?”

“He's already here. I hate to do this, but is there any way you can help us out?”

I close my eyes for a second. “How long?”

“We're trying to buy an hour. Maybe less.”

I glance over at Leah.

She already knows my answer before I do. “It's fine. Go,” she says quietly.

“Leah …”

“I'm serious.” She reaches over, resting her hand on my forearm. “People need you. Dinner can wait. It'll be fine.”

I let out a slow breath, hating every second of it. Then I tighten my grip on the steering wheel, make a U-turn in the parking lot, and pull back onto the highway.

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